A COLLEGE is rallying together to raise money for one of its students who has been given a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Seventeen-year-old Taylor Benfield, a motor vehicle maintenance student at Abingdon & Witney College, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma aged 12.

The bone cancer mostly affects children and young adults aged under 20.

Despite the diagnosis, Taylor bravely continued with his education, however his condition has recently worsened, with further treatment not successful.

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Teachers have now come together to raise funds for Taylor and his family, allowing him to experience some of his dreams and make memories with his family.

Jo Woolford, a special needs teacher at the college, is a family friend of the Benfields and set up an online fundraiser for Taylor.

She said: “We get our hair done with Taylor’s mum and know the family really well.

“Taylor is not only a family friend but a student who was on a journey to become a mechanic with an outstanding teacher, Jonathan Sloan, who invests in all he does to change lives.

“I have worked at the college for 10 years and it's always been such a supportive and happy environment.

“The college always invests in its people and this story shows the remarkable teamwork and community spirit to raise such an amazing amount of money for such a lovely student.”

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The fundraiser has a target of £2,000, and students and staff have already helped make a difference via a raffle.

Ms Woolford added: “The college is a really nice, close-knit community, and when I found out Taylor was really ill, I knew I had to do something.

“I went around local businesses and they all supported us with a raffle where 20 prizes were given away.

“So far, we’ve been able to donate money which has enabled Taylor to go to Brighton with his family and friends, and for them to make memories together.

“He’s been amazing, even with his chemotherapy.

“He got good GCSEs and on the course at the college, he’s been brilliant – he’s done remarkably well.”

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Shane Munford, head of the technology faculty at the college, added: “It has been extremely heartwarming to see the efforts Jonathan Sloan, Joanna Woolford, Abingdon & Witney College staff and local businesses have gone to, to raise this sum of money for such a brave, young man.

“Our thoughts are with Taylor and his family at this difficult time.”

To donate to the JustGiving page, please visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/taylorbenfield1?utm_term=m4pE4Ra5d